Woodchipper Blade and Bed Knife Critical Information

• Old Talgai PTY LTD

Blade sharpening and bed knife adjustment are critical maintenance tasks for the Woodland Mills Woodchipper. These tasks help ensure that the machine operates at optimal performance and reduces the risk of accidents or damage to the equipment. In this post, we will cover the proper technique for blade sharpening and bed knife adjustment on the Woodland Mills Woodchipper. Old Talgai recommend inspection & sharpening between 5-10 hours use.

Blade Sharpening

Blade sharpening is an essential maintenance task that should be performed regularly to ensure that the Woodland Mills Woodchipper operates at optimal performance. Dull blades can cause the machine to work harder, which can increase the risk of accidents and reduce the efficiency of the machine.

To sharpen the blades on the Woodland Mills Woodchipper, follow these steps:

• If installed, disconnect the PTO shaft from the tractor for safety.

SAFETY NOTE: Blades are VERY SHARP! Please wear appropriate PPE.

• Open the upper flywheel housing using a 24mm socket to remove the M16 x 40mm bolt securing the upper and lower housings together.

• With the flywheel exposed, manually rotate the flywheel until one of the four (4) Locking holes in the flywheel align with the locking pin hole. Install the locking pin in each location while removing and installing the blades. On previous models without a locking pin please use a piece of timber between the fan blades and housing.

• Remove the blades from the machine, note caution must be taken to not drop any hardware into the flywheel housing. A long telescopic pen magnet can be used to retrieve them.

• Clean blades and pockets with a wire brush to remove any debris or rust. Check the blades for any cracks or damage. If the blades are damaged, they should be replaced.
• Hand-grind the angled edges of the blade at 33° (see diagram below) using a whetstone or have them sharpened by a professional. A pedestal style bench grinder will likely yield poor results if not used properly. If sharpened quickly or aggressively on a bench grinder, the blade edge can get too hot and change colour, thus removing the heat treating-properties from the steel. Use short grinding times and cool frequently with water. Remove an equal and consistent amount of material from each blade to maintain proper balance when reassembled to the flywheel.

Old Talgai recommend a powered wet stone sharpener for the best results in this process.

• Repeat the process for the other blades. Reinstall the sharpened blades on the flywheel and torque the M10 X 35 mm flat head bolts to 40-45 ft-lb (54-60 N-m). Always replace the lock nuts with new hardware when changing or reversing the blades.

IMPORTANT: Once the blades have been sharpened, proceed to the next step, Setting the Bed Plate Gap, to properly set the spacing between the newly sharpened blades and the bed plate. This process is critical to Machine operation.

Bed Knife Adjustment

The bed knife is another critical component of the Woodland Mills Woodchipper that should be inspected and adjusted regularly to ensure optimal performance. The bed knife is the stationary blade that sits beneath the rotating blades and is responsible for cutting the wood into small chips. Please ensure the leading edge is not rounded and is “sharp” at a 90-degree angle. This plate and be flipped to utilize both edges before the need to remove any material.

To adjust the bed knife on the Woodland Mills Woodchipper, follow these steps:

• If installed, disconnect the PTO shaft from the tractor for safety.
• Loosen the bolts that secure the bed knife in place. Do not remove the bolts completely.
• Insert a feeler gauge between the bed knife and the rotating blades. The recommended gap is 1.5- 3.0 mm however, Old Talgai PTY LTD recommend a bed knife gap of 1.6mm for Australian Hardwoods we also recommend this on all types of wood.
• Adjust the bed knife until the feeler gauge fits snugly between the bed knife and the rotating blades.
• Tighten the bolts to secure the bed knife in place 40 ft-lb (54 N-m).
• It is essential to note that the bed knife adjustment is critical to the Woodland Mills Woodchipper’s optimal performance. A poorly adjusted bed knife can cause the machine to work harder, which can increase the risk of accidents, damage the equipment, and reduce the efficiency of the machine.

Old Talgai PTY LTD recommends a bed knife gap of 1.6mm for the Woodland Mills Woodchipper with Australian Woods. A handy tool for gapping the bed knife is available from your local bunnings warehouse please click this link: Bed Knife/ Anvil Gapping Tool. This tool makes the job easier and can help ensure that the bed knife is properly adjusted, reducing the risk of accidents, and improving the machine’s performance.

In conclusion, blade sharpening, and bed knife adjustment are essential maintenance tasks for the Woodland Mills Woodchipper. Performing these tasks regularly can help ensure that the machine operates at optimal performance, reducing the risk of accidents and damage to the equipment. By following the steps outlined in this post and using the Owner’s Manual provided by Woodland Mills, you can keep your Woodland Mills Woodchipper in excellent condition and operating efficiently. If you need any additional information or assistance please contact us at Old Talgai.